Hutch man in court Wednesday on child sex charges

HUTCHINSON — A 25-year-old Hutchinson man facing child sex charges is scheduled to be in court Wednesday for a preliminary hearing.

Michael Wayne Stahl is charged with four counts of aggravated indecent liberties with a child, two counts of electronic solicitation and one count of attempted indecent liberties with a child. Two of the counts of aggravated indecent liberties with a child are alternate counts, meaning the state has different theories of the crimes.

Stahl is alleged to have been communicating with two 13-year-old girls through Facebook and text. Authorities say that led to him meeting the girls and then the sexual encounters occurring.

Police became involved in the case after two reports. A detective reportedly posed as a 14-year-old girl, which led to Stahl showing up at an abandoned residence where thought he was meeting the 14-year-old. He instead met police instead.